Must See Sights and Landmarks in Barnehurst Area

"A world-famous abbey, often used for Royal ceremonies and weddings. Since 1066 and the ascent to the throne of William the Conqueror, Westminster Abbey has been used for every single coronation of an English King and/or Queen. There are many famed figures from history buried within the abbey, including royalty such as Elizabeth I, the author Charles Dickens, and scientists Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin."

"Formerly called the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster, Westminster Abbey is visited by more than one million people a year and it’s easy to see why. A marvellous gothic abbey, construction began on the present church under Henry III, who selected the site to be the place of his burial."

"The Shard is one of the tallest buildings in Europe and it is a popular tourist attraction as it offers a restaurant, bars and a viewing platform. So, many visitors head there to get one of best views in the city. When The Shard was completed in 2012 it was the tallest building in Europe, but it has now been knocked off the top spot by new skyscrapers built in Moscow."

"From Tower Bridge, walk west along the Thames River to The Shard. You know you are heading in the right direction if you see a building that looks like a giant piece of broken glass pointing up to the sky. This is The Shard, one of London’s newest editions to its skyline."

"The Tower of London is such a great place to visit with kids if they’re into learning about the history of London, castles and stories of kings and queens – including a bit of blood and gore!. Kids will be enthralled by the stories of the famous tower ravens, Henry the VIII and his many wives, the Guy Fawkes plot, the yeoman warders and Beefeaters with their pomp and ceremony. Save the best until last – the spectacular Crown Jewels including dazzling crowns and jewellery that are still in use today."

"The White Tower, popularly known as the Tower of London, is definitely one of the must-see historical landmarks in London. It was constructed almost 1000 years ago in 1097, and this old monument has been used as an execution site, prison, and royal residence. The walls of the Tower of London are rich in history, making it one of the most-visited English landmarks in the city."

"This well-preserved medieval castle is one of London’s premier attractions for families – adults and children love it. Interior exhibits are interactive and informative. The castle was eventually converted to a prison and the site of many executions."

"Topping our list of must-see London attractions is the iconic Tower Bridge. Completed in 1894, Tower Bridge is one of the world’s most famous bascule (a French term for “see-saw”) bridges: It opens in the middle to allow tall boats on the Thames to pass through. Catch a glimpse of the bridge opening (lift times are posted on the Tower Bridge website), and walk across its high-level glass floor walkways 42 metres above the Thames!"

"Tower Bridge is one part of the London skyline that isn’t always visible and only at certain viewpoints will you catch a glimpse. As Tower Bridge is a lot lower to the ground than the other buildings, it is easily hidden amount surrounding structures. However, that hasn’t stopped it becoming one of the key elements of the iconic image."

"Just across from Westminster Abbey are the incredible Houses of Parliament Building, with that iconic clock tower, home to the giant bell – Big Ben. My favourite place to shoot the Houses of Parliament is from the other side of the river, or atop Westminster Bridge. Here you can get some excellent long-exposure shots of passing traffic (try and frame a passing bus if you can!), with the light lines leading your eye to the Houses of Parliament themselves."

"Like Rome’s Colosseum, Paris’s Eiffel Tower, or New York’s Empire State Building, London’s Houses of Parliament & Big Ben are, as they stand sentinel over the River Thames, inextricable symbols of their city. Make sure you get the chance to visit soon, however, as major renovations that will see Parliament temporarily relocate to Whitehall are expected to begin sometime in the next few years."

"A visit to London is not complete without a trip to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Quick Tip: Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the clock tower. The tower is actually known as the Elizabeth Tower."

"We end the list of the 10 most famous skyscrapers in London with Heron Tower, 754feet 7 inches tall, and so the third highest in the city after The Shard and One Canada Square. Built between 2007 and 2011 to the design of the architects Kohn Pedersen Fox, it attracts the curiosity of visitors not so much for its architectural style as for the huge70,000 litre aquarium behind reception, which is home to around 1,200 fish of 60 different species."

"This iconic sight is best viewed from the Westminster Bridge or from the south side of the Thames. Westminster Abbey – This large, mostly Gothic, church is one of the most notable religious buildings in the UK and is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for British monarchs. It is simply breathtaking both inside and out but it is inside that you will find so much to explore. Make sure you allow a good few hours to visit properly."

"After you have visited all the spots you want to in and around Parliament Square, walk onto Westminster Bridge and look back for a great view of the House of Parliament and the River Thames. You can then take a walk along the Thames or head off to dinner. Tomorrow the itinerary will bring us back to the Thames to further explore more of London’s iconic sites."

"Head north across Westminster Bridge and be sure to stop about halfway along the bridge for a perfect Instagram photo including the London Eye and County Hall. For the exact Instagram location click here."

"The Seven Noses of Soho are a quirky art installation in Central London and one of the city’s most unusual free attractions. The strange little statues are plaster reproductions of artist Rick Buckley’s nose and were installed around Soho as a prankprovoked by the controversial introduction of CCTV cameras throughout London during the 1990s – the noses were installed under the noses of the cameras. While 35 noses were originally installed, only 10 still remain today and searching for them all certainly makes for one of the most unique free days out in London."

"If you’re travelling between The Mall and Trafalgar Square, that’s Admiralty Arch stretching elegantly overhead. Completed in 1911 to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria, the Portland stone structure is more than an arch—it’s actually a functional building. Check out these rarely seen photos of the British royal family through the years."

"Splendidly refurbished in 2010 it was built between 1721-1724 to the designs of John James, as one of the Fifty Churches projected by Queen Anne’s Act of 1711. The reredos is from the workshop of Grinling Gibbons and frames a ‘Last Supper’ painted for the church by William Kent in 1724. The windows contain Flemish glass of the early 16th century from Antwerp."

"Located on a colourful street in Notting Hill, Portobello Road is the world’s largest antique market. The famous market has over 1,000 traders selling a huge range of amazing antiques and collectables. And for those who aren’t interested in antiques, the market (which runs Monday to Saturday) also has a variety of other traders selling clothes, jewellery, tourist nicknacks, household goods and plenty of food."

"If I haven’t yet convinced you that London is really, really into its gin – I present to you: The Distillery. This simply-named venue is basically a gin lover’s playground, offering up four enticing levels of gin-related debauchery and its own distillery producing Portobello Road gin. Amongst the fun there are multiple tasting spaces, including the oh-so-fancy Boardroom for group tastings."

"Just round the corner from the beautiful white houses of Notting Hill you will find the cute coloured houses of Portobello. Portobello is famous for its vintage and street food market, with the coloured houses coming up close after it. It’s not quite as fancy as Notting Hill with the white columns and houses, but if like me you love colourful places Portobello is a more fun photo location."

"Having celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2014, it’s fair to say Borough Market is one of London’s more established haunts. Located under a maze of Victorian railway arches and open Monday to Saturday, Borough Market is stuffed with lovely food and food-lovers, featuring cuisine from all corners of the world. It offers everything you need for a memorable grab-and-go breakfast or lunch, but is also a good place for a simple wander."

"For the gastronomists among you, Borough Market is your sure fire stop for delicious and authentic London food and drink. One of the oldest markets in London, Borough operates on a wholesale level on weekday mornings and is open to the public for commercial trade on weekday lunchtimes and all day on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Located under beautifully architected structures dating from the 19th century to the 1930s, Borough can be found in Southwark, just below the River Thames."

"Let's not sugarcoat it — doughnuts are filthy and that’s why we love them. These bad boys at Borough Market mean business. They come with cream bursting out the sides so a napkin is essential."

"What: Founded by highly regarded Greek chef Costas Spiliadis, Estiatorio Milos is an internationally recognised chain known for its exquisite Mediterranean seafood. Its only UK outpost is found in a stunning Grade II-listed building in St James’ and attracts a well-heeled crowd. There’s a ‘market’ of fresh fish here which you can choose from and the raw bar is a solid option too."

"Not everyone has an appetite for oysters and shellfish, sometimes all you fancy is a decent fish and chip supper. Hook in Camden has its favourites - famous tacos, nibbles and specials - but it’s the “new school” plates that will definitely fill a gap. There’s the Classic (fresh cod or haddock in panko breadcrumb with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade tartar sauce on the side); the Cajun Fresh (cod/haddock in panko breadcrumbs and cajun spices with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade cajun sauce on the side); or the Lemon & Basil (fresh cod/haddock in lemon and basil tempura with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade garlic truffle sauce on the side)."

"What: Hook doesn’t put on any airs and graces, but instead offers up solid seafood cookery in tried and tested classics, with the odd contemporary twist. The go-to choice here is the classic fish and chips, which gave Hook its name, but we suggest giving the Cajun-style version a go; it comes battered in panko breadcrumbs and Cajun spices and is accompanied by seaweed-salted chips.Where: 65 Parkway Road, NW1 7PP"

"Following all Soho House group traditions, The Ned’s spa offers a range of deeply relaxing Cowshed treatments, mani-pedis and the chance to get your back and sides done at Ned’s Barber. Built around a 20-metre pool, surrounded by marble columns, and featuring a traditional Moroccan hammam, the space is a welcome - and rather grand - retreat in the centre of The City. While non-members are welcome for treatments, spa facilities are currently restricted to Ned Club members and hotel guests only."

"Following a major redesign, the Elemis flagship spa in Mayfair re-launched as the House of Elemis in 2015. More than just a spa, it's 'a couture beauty house' that brings together science and beauty, offering a wide range of hi-tech treatments that promise results. Guests are invited into a calming space that combines natural tones, textural lighting, artisanal glass and ceramic work, reflecting the brand's ethos of the best that nature and science have to offer."

"Tucked away in the backstreets of Mayfair, the House of Elemis, a beautiful day spa offering top-notch facials and body treatments, reopens on April 14. The brand has launched a new No Touch Facial that combines tech and safe-touch tools like cooling wands, spatulas and a face mitt, with BIOTEC products to bring your skin back to life. Choose from the Hydra-firm or Resurfacer."

"The House of ELEMIS lies in a blissfully quiet spot in Mayfair|© ELEMIS. This niche little spa has had a luxury makeover by stylist Bay Garnett. The result: a sparkly shop decorated in clean white lines and porcelain flowers by Valeria Nascimento, flashy beauty treatments and a spa in the basement."

"Housed in the grandly historic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, there are few better places to ease the tensions of a long train journey than the St Pancras spa. Inspired by the area’s Victorian architecture, patterned tiling, exotic fauna and stone floors abound throughout, while the treatment menu draws on traditional rituals from around the world, with the new Ko Bi Do Fountain of Youth facial being a must-try. Day passes are available from Monday to Thursday, giving access to the spa’s gym, sauna, steam room and relaxation pool, while spa days start from £140 for the Lunch Escape: a 60-minute treatment, use of the facilities and a two-course lunch at The Hansom."

"Kings Cross St Pancras, North West London Instant Book. A seductive subterranean spa in the heart of London, St Pancras Spa carries the romance of golden age of travel, while the hotel serves the most delectable afternoon tea."

"A blend of treatments from around the world are on offer here. St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, King's Cross, London, NW1 2QP. Tube: King's Cross Station"